Q. I'm having trouble reading a PDF file in my browser because it refuses to
open. What can I do about this problem?

A. PDF stands for Portable Document Format. PDF files are designed to be
opened by any computer and the format is considered close to being a
"universal format." However, many things can still go wrong with the
creation or reading of any particular file. Another problem is that PDF
files can be hacked to install malware and other nasty items on your
computer.

As a result, improvements are always being made to the different PDF reading
programs which are in use. However, not all of these changes maintain the
ability of the readers to accurately display the contents of a PDF file. The
prime offender in this regard is often considered to be the original PDF
reading program, Adobe Reader, and many substitutes have been developed to
replace Reader.

This problem also exists when you are trying to read a PDF document within a
browser. Typically, the browser PDF reader is completely separate from the
reader you would normally use to open a PDF file on your Desktop. This means
that your browser PDF reader may or may not have been properly updated when
you updated your Desktop reader.

In your situation, you should check to see if your browser's PDF reader is
up to date by checking under Tools and looking for the Plug-Ins or Add-Ons
section (these terms are often used interchangeably) to check the PDF
plug-in for the current version. If it's out-of-date, click the Update
button and see if that solves your problem.

If it doesn't, try installing a PDF plug-in from a different company and
make sure to deactivate the one that doesn't work properly. If the new one
works, you can delete the old one if you wish.

There are plenty of free PDF reading plug-ins available, so try them all out
and see which one works for you. Some will have annoying features or will
not meet your needs. Make sure to read reviews from those who have already
used the plug-in.

Published: Courier 5/5/13 - Page 3C

This article has been written by a PCS member and was published in "The Daily Courier"
of Prescott, Arizona on the date listed above. While current when
written, these articles may contain outdated information and you should
check with other sources prior to relying on the article's contents.